Thursday, January 2, 2014

I've been meaning to post this tutorial for awhile now but have not had (or made) any time for the tedious blogging process. Let me just say that I take no credit whatsoever for the originality of this pouch. This is just a method I use to make it easier for myself. I apologize in advance for the poor quality photos. I took them with my iPhone as I was making the pouch. Here we go.

For the larger sized pouch, I use 15" x 10" panels and a 14 inch zipper. When you get to boxing the corners, cut the squares at 2" x 2" or slightly smaller if you don't want the bag to be as tall. Just play around with the measurements until you find something you like.

If you are quilting the exterior panels, which I did for this tutorial, fuse the interfacing and quilt them before beginning.

First, lay out one of your exterior panels and place the zipper face down, with the zip pull on the left side, along the top of the panel. Make sure it's centered.

Lay one of the interior panels over the zipper and mark a 1/2 inch mark on either side of the panel along the top edge.

Using your zipper foot, sew along the top edge starting and ending at the 1/2 inch marks.

Press both panels to one side of the zipper.

Lay this finished piece face down over your other exterior panel. This time your zip pull should be on the right side.

Place the other interior panel face down over the zipper and mark 1/2 inch on each side again. Sew along the top starting and ending at the 1/2 inch mark and then press down both sides.

Now top stitch on both sides of the zipper, again starting and ending at 1/2 inch from the edge.

Your panels should look like this. Now separate the exterior panels from the interior panels and sew along the bottom edges of both. I forgot to take a picture of this step but just sew as if making a regular zipper pouch. Only sew the bottom of the exterior panels and the bottom of the interior panels, leaving an opening for turning later. DO NOT sew along the side edges where the zipper is.

Now, fold the panels so that the seams are aligned with the zipper. Press seams open.

Pin back the interior panels on one side of the pouch.

Sew along the exterior panels, including the zipper at 3/8" along the edge.

Go over the zipper a few times to reinforce. Repeat with the other side exterior.

Now pin back the exterior panels.

Sew along the interior panels over the zipper once again, this time at 1/4" from the edge. Repeat with the other side and set pouch aside.

If you are attaching a handle, cut your scrap piece down to 4" by 7".

Press in half lengthwise and then press both edges towards the center, just as you would with a purse handle.

Top stitch along the edges and then sew a couple of lines in between to make sturdier.

To box corners, draw out a square on an interior corner at 1 1/2" x 1 1/2". Start measuring at the seam on the side edge.

Cut out the square.

Position the corner so that the seam is in the center and then sew it closed. Repeat with the other three corners of lining.

Now cut out the corner squares on the exterior panels. Before you sew them shut, insert the handle into one of the holes and center it to the seam. Sew closed.

Pull the other end of the handle out from the corner closest to it and center it to that seam before sewing shut.

Cut excess fabric and close the two remaining corners.

Now turn the entire pouch right side out from the opening in your lining. Sew opening closed.

Again, I apologize for the dark/blurry photos! I hope you can still use this tutorial to make pretty gifts and project bags. I love using this style of pouch for everything. If you decide to make this pouch and post pictures on instagram, hashtag it with #psboxypouch so I can check it out!!